Chapter 43: Forging? An Artist!

Zhang Siwei returned home; it was already the Hour of the Bo (9 p. m. to 11 p. m.).

Having experienced such an encounter, he was truly somewhat fearful. Those soldier-ruffians, seeing he had no attendants, assumed he was a minor official and actually dared to surround him directly.

Fortunately, those fellows had some sense of propriety; they only beat a few sedan chair bearers and dared not commit the slightest offense against him.

After gulping down two cups of ginseng tea, Zhang Siwei finally suppressed his panicked state of mind. At the same time, he made up his mind that he must bring guards when traveling in the Higo.

On the other side, several soldiers moved nimbly and headed straight into a brothel.

Upon entering the private room, they saw Han San with his eyes slightly closed, sitting upright before a dark-colored round table.

On his left and right, there were two beautiful, alluring women each, serving tea and water, massaging feet and legs, which made the hearts of the few men present stir intensely.

"Third Brother." The group called out respectfully in unison.

Han San lifted his eyes, stared at the leader, and said, "Is the matter all taken care of?"

"All taken care of. The people inside didn't move; we just beat four sedan chair bearers." That man was beaming with delight and added embellishments, "If it weren't for your instructions, Third Brother, we really wanted to drag the people inside out to have a look too."

"Daring to offend Third Brother—they should ask us brothers first if we agree!"

Han San smiled slightly, broke free from the four women, and stood up: "I have already paid for these women; let the brothers have a good time tonight, consider it a reward for you all."

As he spoke, he took out fifteen taels of silver and slapped them into the leader's hand.

"Many thanks, Third Brother." The young man hurriedly smiled, gathered the silver, and patted his chest, saying, "In the Higo, if Third Brother encounters any more enemies, just tell your brothers. Your brothers have nothing else, but we do have hearts that would go through fire and water for a friend."

"With those words from you, I am at ease."

Han San patted the young man's shoulder and said a few more pleasantries before walking out of the small building under the wolf-like and tiger-like gazes of the men.

Before long, a chorus of decadent sounds echoed through the building.

"A bunch of things that don't know how to die." Han San looked inside with a mocking smile, turned around, and headed straight for Zhang Yunxiu's residence.

By the time he arrived, Zhang Yunxiu was still researching the "Treasure Gambling" to be held in a few days. Hearing that Han San had come to visit, he immediately had someone invite him into the small hall.

The two sat down according to the etiquette of host and guest. Han San spoke first: "The matter the Young Master asked me to handle, I have handled. I am certain that since that person prides himself on his noble status, he can only bite the bullet and swallow this silent loss."

Zhang Yunxiu nodded, pulled Han San to stand up, walked to the table and chairs, and took out a small piece of paper.

On the small piece of paper was written a handsome number, and on top of it was stamped a red seal.

"Take a look, how is it?"

"Young Master, what if this seal is forged by someone?" Han San asked on a whim.

"That shouldn't be possible; who would dare to forge an official seal?" Zhang Yunxiu asked in return.

Han San hesitated for a moment before saying: "There are many strange people and talented individuals in this capital. Let alone your seal, even antique calligraphy and paintings, banknotes, and official credentials can all be forged."

"You know such people?" Zhang Yunxiu stared at Han San and asked suspiciously.

Han San's mouth twitched, a few beads of sweat seeped onto his forehead, and he stammered in reply: "I don't know any."

"Do you know them or not?"

"I know one, but we aren't familiar," Han San said with a bitter smile.

"Bring the person to me tomorrow. I want to see for myself whether he truly has this ability." Zhang Yunxiu waved his hand, his voice filled with an air that brooked no refusal.

Han San wished he could slap himself a few times, but since his superior had spoken, he could only bite the bullet and carry it out.

The next day at noon, Han San sat down in a roadside teahouse next to Dengshi Street.

Although the agreed time was the Hour of the Wei (1 p. m. to 3 p. m.), and there was still some time left, to show respect, the two could only arrive early to wait.

Leaning against the window facing the street, Wang He was full of anxiety, his hands resting on his knees, constantly asking Han San this and that.

"Third Master, I have been law-abiding lately and haven't dared to do that kind of thing. You say, why does the big shot behind you insist on seeing me? I'm just a small fry; why would a person of his status want to see me?" "Third Master, I haven't been stingy with my tributes to you, you can't just leave me to my fate."

"Shut up!" Han San was annoyed by his fussing and threatened, "If you keep blathering, I'll throw you into the Embroidered Uniform Guard prison right now. With all the rotten things you've done, if you want to live, shut your mouth."

Wang He quieted down. He gulped down two mouthfuls of hot tea and opened his mouth, wanting to speak again. Han San glared, and Wang He was so startled his eyelids jumped; he turned his head away and dared not speak again.

The two waited for a long while, the sun gradually shifting to the west, when a sound of footsteps came from downstairs.

Han San braced himself, grabbed Wang He, and went to the top of the stairs, where he saw Zhang Yunxiu walking in wearing a cyan long robe.

"Young Master." Han San hurriedly called out with a smile and walked down the stairs to greet him.

As the two met, Zhang Yunxiu asked: "Where is the person?"

"Upstairs."

"Let's go, take me to see him quickly." Zhang Yunxiu looked impatient.

He had always held such artists in extremely high regard.

Upstairs, Wang He saw Zhang Yunxiu and Han San walking up and thought to himself: Even Han San, that man who eats people without spitting out the bones, is so afraid of this person; it seems this person's status must be extremely high.

Moreover, this person is full of scholarly air; he must be a refined person.

So he is looking for someone to make fake antiques?

Perfect, today I will kick Han San to the curb and climb up to this big shot.

After thinking this through, Wang He smiled obsequiously, trotted two steps, and bowed to Zhang Yunxiu: "This small one, Wang He, greets the Young Master."

Zhang Yunxiu lifted his eyes and scanned the man, seeing that he was burly and his face was dark and oily; he didn't look like a forger, but rather like a ruffian thug.

Han San noticed Zhang Yunxiu's doubt and explained with a smile: "Young Master, don't look at how burly this kid is; in secret, he is full of wicked tricks. He can make anything—banknotes, tripods from the Xia and Shang dynasties, iron certificates of merit..."

"Third Brother Han, please don't say that. I only make fake antiques; I don't dare do anything else," Wang He hurriedly explained.

Han San chuckled, didn't waste words, grabbed Wang He, and searched him thoroughly. He fished out three banknotes, two seals, and a marriage contract.

Zhang Yunxiu took the banknotes and looked at them.

"Face value fifty taels."

It was issued by the capital's largest bill firm, the Baoxiang Firm.

Zhang Yunxiu picked it up to examine it, then took out a banknote from his own pocket to compare. After looking for a while, he discovered that, apart from the difference in size, the two banknotes were identical.

The handwriting of the seal on top was almost exactly the same.

"Is this real?" Zhang Yunxiu asked, looking at Han San.

Han San shook his head, released Wang He, took the banknote from Zhang Yunxiu's hand, and explained, "The thickness of the two pieces of paper is different, and after peeling open this banknote of yours, there is a secret seal inside, whereas his does not have one."

"You certainly know your stuff," Zhang Yunxiu teased.

"This one is what you call a long-term patient becoming a doctor; I've been scared stiff by these unscrupulous merchants," Han San said with a laugh, scratching his head.

Zhang Yunxiu did not commit, turned his head to look at the anxious Wang He, and asked, "Can you really forge anything?"

Wang He was stunned, not knowing how to answer.

"The young master is asking you a question, are you deaf?!" Han San widened his eyes and shouted from the side.

"I can, I can, whatever the young master wants me to do, I will do," Wang He nodded repeatedly.

"Very well, first take us to your home to have a look; if things are handled well, your future wealth will be beyond comparison."

(End of this chapter)